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Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2536, 11 October 1888, Page 2

Tun meeting of fanners at Ohaupo on Tuesday was quite a representative one, and although the outconn; of their deliberations was not so comprehensive as we would have desired, yet, judging from the report before us, there is in it the launching of a movement that should prove highly beneficial to the agricultural interests of the Waikato. In order that much good may accrue from the small beginniii" just made, the one thing needful is unity of action, amongst the whole of the farming community. Given the spirit of unanimity and mutual-help from the outset, the movement will spread over the four counties, gathering strength as it rolls along, to become a -lower that will make itself felt in commercial and political circles. We are glad to see that cautious counsels prevailed at the meeting and that it was very properly decided to avoid the danger, at such an incipient stage, of attaching to the proposed association a political character. The main object of a farmer's co-operative combination is to guard their business interests against outside impositions and to watch the best and fairest markets for the sale of their produce and the purchase of their supplies and farm requisites. There is no need for introducing abstract questions of politics in this. It must not be understood, however, that an activo and intelligent interest in national affairs is to be considered foreign to any asssociation of agriculturists. There vasa very just complaint made at the meeting that neither the members they send to Parliament to represent thorn, nor the Government who are the servants of the country, pay any attention to their wishes* or even to public opinion. In such districts where exist established societies and associations, tho interests of the people at tho hands of Parliament and Government can he better watched than where there is _no j organised system of action. The representations of a strong combination, such as a Farmer's Association, would carry greater weight in political circles than the disjointed efforts of individuals. There are questions and measures brought forward in thu Legislature that have important bearings on country interests ; in such times it would be a material help to the agricultural class to be able to deliberate upon th. Mii, and give united expressions of opinion through a representative institution, like the Chamber of Commerce does in regard to trade and mercantile affairs' This view of their sphere of action, however, is anticipatory ; we must be pleased with the small commencement it has been wisely determined to make, and by first directing their attention to procuring seeds, manures, &c. on the most remunerative and satisfactory method for the farmers as a whole, we think they have adopted a course purely within their rights. Beginning by securing combination in those few but important details, the Association can then deal with such wider subjects, in the same spirit of co-operation, as developing the valuable industries of frozen meat, wheat, dairy and fruit produce for export under the most favourable conditions to themselves. The question of railway rates and transit of cattle by rail may be taken as kindred questions to be discussed and dealt with by a representative society of farmers and stockowners. It is easy to be seen that there, is a wide field of action before an Association that may be organised and firmly established, irrespective of any actual trading operations that might be undertaken. First of all, however, there must be complete organisation from a common centre, with ramifications in every district of the counties. With that effectually performed will then follow the success we heartily wish the movement.